3rd WTO Ministerial: Seattle, USA
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The Battle of Seattle
The GATT Uruguay Round Agreements and the establishment of the WTO were proclaimed as a means of enhancing the creation of global wealth and prosperity and promoting the well being of all people in all member states. In reality, however, the WTO has contributed to the concentration of wealth in the hands of the rich few; increased poverty for the majority of the world's peoples, especially in third world countries; and brought forth unsustainable patterns of production and consumption. The WTO and GATT Uruguay Round Agreements have functioned principally to push open markets for the benefits of transnational corporations at the expense of national and international economies; workers, farmers, indigenous peoples, women and other social groups; food security and safety; the environment; and animal welfare. In addition, the WTO system, rules and procedures are undemocratic, un-transparent and non-accountable and have operated to marginalize the majority of the world's people. |
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